Major events programming in a city: Comparing three approaches to portfolio design.

Event portfolio design is increasingly important from both academic and industry perspectives. The purpose of this article is to discuss and conceptualize the strategic process of event portfolio planning and development in different urban contexts in New Zealand. A qualitative multiple case study was conducted in three cities: Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin. Primary data were collected by interviewing city event planners from city councils and relevant council controlled organizations. Secondary data were obtained by the analysis of the relevant documents, including city event policies and strategies, annual reports, statements, and activity plans. Thematic analysis revealed the existence of distinctive portfolio approaches in the studied cases, which can be compared and differentiated by applying the following parameters: Formality, Intentionality, Directionality, and Rhythmicity. Together, these parameters represent a "built-in equalizer" that can be used to balance the opposing values of diverse approaches and adjust them within current city objectives. The article provides a rich and broad context, which enables an understanding of the strategic nature of event portfolios and their implementation within a wider city development agenda.N/

Understanding the core elements of event portfolio strategy: lessons from Auckland and Dunedin

An event portfolio is a vital part of economic and socio-cultural processes designed around the use of public events in cities and destinations around the world. The purpose of this paper is to suggest a new research framework for comparative studies of diverse event portfolio strategies. The discussion in this paper is based on a review of the literature and content analysis of event strategies from two New Zealand cities: Auckland and Dunedin. The paper suggests an empirically tested framework for exploring event portfolios. It entails such dimensions as the event portfolio strategy, event portfolio focus, portfolio objectives and evaluation tools and event portfolio configuration. This exploratory research provides a comparative analysis of diverse portfolio contexts and offers insights on developing sustainable event strategies while considering diverse local contexts. Core conditions and processes shaping event portfolio design and management are evaluated and strategic factors articulated.n/

Co-creating with the universe: A phenomenological study of New Age tourists

This paper discusses a phenomenological investigation of the experiences of New Age tourists in New Zealand. New Age tourism is becoming a noteworthy form of the tourism experience, while remaining an enigma in the field of tourism studies. This paper sets out to uncover some of the unknowns behind this type of travelling. To understand New Age tourism, one has to understand New Age tourists - their interests, experiences and perspective on travelling. It is shown that New Age tourists are highly individualised people characterised by their interest in unique \u27life experiences\u27. Indeed, the New Age travellers in New Zealand are defined by their search for extraordinary and transcendental awareness, with the objectives being personal, spiritual and emotional growth. The method of data collection was phenomenological interviews, focusing on how New Age tourists perceive and describe their experiences. The phenomenological descriptions were derived through validated invariant constituents and themes, representing the group as a whole. This paper will discuss several major themes such as feelings of energy, being able to distinguish between different energies, having an extraordinary experience, or connecting to something. The outcome of this study is to bring new information and knowledge into tourism by gaining a deeper understanding of the New Age tourism experience

Epistemology and metaphysics for qualitative research

ix, 236 p.: ill.; 24 c

The dawn of new age tourism: An analysis of Aotearoa

This thesis studies New Age tourism and New Age tourists in New Zealand. In order to better understand this phenomenon, the research reviews literature pertaining to spirituality, religious tourism, pilgrimage and sacred sites. Using the theory of strategic groups, the study also shows that New Age tourism is distinct from other forms of travelling. The thesis argues that as a New Age destination, New Zealand’s rich natural and cultural resources present immense potential for development. Key New Age attractions in the country are identified and future development prospects discussed. Although a relatively new phenomenon, the research contends that the New Age market is not homogenous and visitors exhibit differences in 'interest', 'experience' and 'profile characteristics’. Nevertheless, a dominant theme in all New Age travel appears to be the pursuit of unique and transcendental life knowledge. To analyze the New Age tourists in detail, the study employs two research methodologies. Quantitatively, the profile characteristics of tourists are scrutinized and a specialization index is adopted to delineate differences between market segments. It will be shown that New Age tourists comprise three distinct groups: the low, medium and highly specialized individuals. Qualitatively, the New Age visitors are analyzed by means of a phenomenological method. Through in-depth understanding of their motivations, needs and opinions, the New Age traveller is seen to be constantly in search of extraordinary and life-changing experiences. Overall, the thesis demonstrates that a corroborative methodology combining quantitative and qualitative techniques provides not only a holistic view of New Age tourism, but also invaluable empirical insights into this burgeoning field of contemporary travel